WGA Engineers Support Earthquake Recovery in Vanuatu
#Making a difference
On 17 December 2024, a powerful Mw 7.3 earthquake struck near Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, triggering a low-amplitude tsunami, causing widespread damage across the island nation. As one of the strongest seismic events felt near the capital, the disaster shook the community to the core, causing widespread damage to the infrastructure.
WGA swiftly deployed team members who were already engaged in local infrastructure projects on the island. More experts flew over in the same week to aid emergency assessments and restoration. Our teams carried out geotechnical and structural evaluations across the affected sites, managing immediate recovery while planning for long-term resilience and community safety.
Vanuatu’s vulnerability to such events stems from its positioning atop a complex and active tectonic plate boundary, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Despite this, many buildings in Vanuatu are not designed to withstand strong ground shaking, leaving communities exposed to significant risk during earthquakes and tsunamis. As a result, there is a pressing need for Vanuatu to prioritise resilient infrastructure design upgrades that withstand natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis.
Immediate Engineering Response
WGA’s established presence in Vanuatu and understanding of the local context allowed the team to engage in disaster recovery efforts effectively. At the time of the earthquake, WGA was working on an infrastructure development initiative in coordination with the partnership program, Vanuatu Australia Infrastructure for Development. Our team, led by Shayne Burns, WGA’s Principal Civil Designer, has been delivering Civil, Geotechnical, and Structural engineering services across key infrastructure sectors.
WGA’s engineers were mobilised immediately to support emergency assessments and repair efforts. Additional engineers flew in to aid in recovery and provide expertise.
Wharf Road, a vital access point for tourist boats and ferries, was severely impacted by landslides triggered by the earthquake. WGA conducted a landslide risk assessment to identify the potential for further failures and their consequences, following with recommendations for geotechnical investigations for the design of effective long-term mitigation, as well as short term strategies to get the road back in use, including:
Installing signage to warn of unstable slopes
Clearing debris from the road and scaling unstable material from the face and crest
Erecting a protective barrier of containers to intercept rockfalls
Tagabe Road Bridge Structural Assessment
Tagabe Road Bridge, a major thoroughfare in Port Vila, handles up to 30 vehicles per minute during peak times. WGA assessed the bridge for structural damage, identifying potential defects, and recommending immediate repairs and long-term maintenance strategies to ensure continued serviceability.
Assessment of over 40 public buildings
WGA engineers evaluated key government buildings, including the Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament House, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidential Palace, the Central Market, and the Office of the Public Prosecutor.
Championing Challenges
Working in a disaster-stricken area presented unique challenges. From limited material availability to financial constraints, WGA engineers had to adapt their approach to suit local conditions.
“There is no one way to complete tasks in engineering, and that is especially true in Vanuatu,” notes Shayne. “Sometimes, going back to first principles is required, as we can’t always meet what would be considered normal standards in Australia.”
Peter Larratt, Principal Geotechnical Engineer, highlighted the complexity and value of the experience, “The remoteness and offshore nature of the project offered a rare opportunity. From assessing damage to proposing practical solutions, it was a chance to learn and contribute meaningfully.
Despite many challenges, including communication and the involvement of diverse stakeholders, the WGA team remained united by a shared goal – supporting the people of Vanuatu. Their work not only focused on technical solutions but also on mentoring local consultants and building capacity within the community.
Continuing the Recovery
In partnership with the Government of Vanuatu and Australian partners, WGA remains committed to rebuilding and strengthening critical infrastructure to support safer, more resilient communities. Responding to a disaster of this magnitude requires a carefully phased approach—starting with visual assessments, followed by strategic planning, subsurface investigations, modelling, and the development of long-term solutions.
Six months on, WGA is entering the next phase of support, with ongoing visits to Port Vila to guide cleanup and engineering efforts on the ground. These investigations will play a crucial role in shaping the next steps toward sustainable infrastructure recovery.
WGA continues to collaborate closely with local stakeholders, ensuring that recovery efforts are not only technically sound but also deeply rooted in supporting community needs and building resilience.
“Sending the right people is crucial in managing disaster recovery and community support,” said Baden Harrison, WGA’s Queensland Regional Manager. “The Vanuatu Government and people were relying on us to provide quick advice to allow the country to move forward.”
Peter Larratt and Shayne Burns support earthquake recovery efforts in Vanuatu
Peter and Shayne briefing our partners on the geotechnical investigations they conducted
“Working in Vanuatu is unique,” says Shayne. “The conditions are challenging—hot, humid, and resource-constrained—but the people and the purpose make it all worthwhile.”
Like what you've read? Why not share it with a friend!
